My Smashwords Interview ...

So, I've used Smashwords.com to venture out in to the big, scary world of romance writing and got the opportunity to do my first author interview ... very exciting. It went a little something like this :)

Interview with Angelé Wells

When did you first start writing?

My first attempt was at 16. I found the draft the other day when I was packing to move and had a really good laugh at how REALLY BAD it was.

What's the story behind your latest book?

For the longest time I've wanted to write about how the love of a good man can help a woman deal with an abusive past. So that's what my latest book is about.

What motivated you to become an indie author?

Fear of rejection ... I figured if I self-published, I wouldn't have to deal with being rejected by a Publisher.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

Getting lost in the characters. Whether I'm reading someone else's work or writing my own, I get completely sucked into their world. And that's, quite possibly, the biggest rush for me. After all, isn't that what fiction is for?

What do your fans mean to you?

Everything! Without fans we would be nothing. Writing itself is fabulous but when someone else reads it and enjoys it ... that's everything.

What are you working on next?

My next book will be a follow up to the one I am busy writing. My main female character is one of 5 siblings and so the next one will deal with one of her four brothers; and his quest for a good woman to love him.

Who are your favorite authors?

Hmm, that's a tough one. There are so many. But, off the top of my head would be Nora Roberts, Matthew Reilly, Christine Feehan, Dan Brown, Sylvia Day, Maya Banks, Tom Clancy, to name a few.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

A new day is a new opportunity to make magic happen between the covers of a book.

What do you do when you're not writing?

I love to spend time with my family ... my husband, son and sister-of-my-heart are the absolute best! We always have good fun. And then, of course, I LOVE to read! I can happily spend hours in my swing chair out in the garden reading. I find creative hobbies are enormously satisfying and soothing, so I try to find time to either make jewellery, cards or knit.

What is your writing process?

For me to be able to sit and work, on anything I'm doing, I need structure and organisation. I find I need it in my writing too. So, I usually have an idea that rolls around in my head for a while. Once I have a fairly good idea of where I want it to go I'll put everything down on paper. Anything and everything that comes to mind, I write it down. From there I create my plot line. And then it's an easy jump to sitting down and fleshing my ideas out.

What do you read for pleasure?

Gosh I love most genre of fiction ... romance, comedy, thriller, sci-fi, but I must admit I am a sucker for anything with an alpha male in it ... *blush* ... :)

What is your e-reading device of choice?

I have only ever owned one ... a Prestigio ... which I still use. It is quite possibly the best money I've ever spent on a gadget of any kind.

Describe your desk.

Hmm ... when I'm working my desk usually looks like a category 4 hurricane has swept over it. When I'm done with whatever it is I'm doing, I restore everything to order otherwise I find myself unable to work on the next thing. I can't start in chaos ... I have to work up to it :D

How do you discover the ebooks you read?

Usually someone will recommend an author to me. I'll go to my local library to see if I can find any of their work & read it. If I enjoy their work, I'll go in search of more of their work. Otherwise, I'll surf Goodreads.com for authors who write in the same genre & I'll try it.

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?

My dad used to read to me when I was little to keep me out of my mom's hair while she was trying to get dinner on the table or do some ironing, or something equally domestic. The book of my earliest memories is Charlotte's Web. I was utterly captivated! I got so sucked into the story and remember crying bitterly over Charlotte's demise. And thus my love of reading was born. I don't remember the first book I ever read on my own ... something by Enid Blyton ... but the result was the same. I live the book ... and when it ends I feel lost until the next book starts.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up in Cape Town, South Africa as part of a large family although I am an only child ... my mother is one of 11 children ;) The interaction between family members makes for very interesting material, but also the whole vibe and "flavor" of Cape Town offers much inspiration. I live in a truly beautiful city and can't help but be inspired by it.

How do you approach cover design?

I try to match the cover to something in the storyline ... I am a very visual kind of girl so I find that I can "see" a cover in something I've written ... usually as I write it'll spark a creative thought about what would make a fabulous cover.

What are your five favorite books, and why?

Wow ... now that 's a hard one! I would probably have so say (feeling like I've a gun to my head ... and in no particular order):

• The Notebook by Nicolas Sparks ... in a word where everything has   become disposable it makes you believe, again, that true love DOES prevail.
• Message in a bottle by Nicolas Sparks ... not sure why because it makes me cry every time ;)
• Tribute by Nora Roberts ... didn't see the twist in the tale coming
• Sinner's on Tour series by Oliva Cunning ... I LOVED the whole series! Olivia Cunning made me laugh the whole way through ... and I loved that ... but if I was pressed to pick 1 favorite out the series it would probably be Hot Ticket.
• A book (I think) was called Chimera written about biological warfare ... a REALLY good read which weaves fiction & fact together seamlessly ... I just wish I could remember who wrote the darn book  :(

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Everywhere! Dreams, books I read, talking to people, people watching ... if you look, you'll find inspiration in almost anything.

What is your perfect day like?

Any day that includes love, laughter, a bit of writing, a bit of reading, loved ones and my furbabies is a perfect day to me.

Published 2014-05-03.

Books by This Author

Destined

By Angelé Wells

Price: Free! Words: 3,470. Language: English. Published: September 15, 2013.

Category: Fiction

Serena wasn't looking for a new man in her life but when least expected, Mr Right will show up out of nowhere. Serena discovers that when her Mr Tall, dark & delicious turns up in her boardroom. She ran from him once, but she doesn't intend to this time. When Sebastian walks away without a word

it seems like she wouldn't have a choice. But are things quite as she sees them?

Saving Autumn

By Angelé Wells

Price: Free! Words: 5,880. Language: English. Published: October 29, 2013.

Category: Fiction

Georgina is called out to rescue an abused dog and meets the gorgeous Eric.  Eric decides to adopt the dog, calling her Autumn. But he wants Georgina too.  Will Eric get what he wants? And will Georgie?

For One Night Only!

By Angelé Wells

Price: Free! Words: 2,910. Language: English. Published: September 15, 2013.

Category: Fiction

Mia is on the run but tired of being lonely. She wonders what it would be like if, just for one night, she found someone to chase away the loneliness. But does she have the courage?